So, what's your opinion?

So, here's the question. What's the big deal with online dating? Living in this city, I have caught on to this "trend" around town. People here seem to attribute the growing trend to busy lifestyles and boredome with the "bar and club scene". Hmmm....but what about those of us who were never into the "bar and club scene" for meeting people of the opposite sex? Why do they do it?

Hmmmm...so to those of you who don't know, I've toyed around with online dating a few times and I've come to a few conclusions. Why do some people think it's so "wrong" or "weird" to meet people through the online dating scene? The most popular response seems to be that people think you are desperate if you try the online thing. I've also heard the "you could meet any amount of weirdos on there" response. I don't feel like I did it because I am desperate and yes, I've met one or two WEIRDOS. However, they are all funny stories and at this point I will chalk most of it up to experience. Thinking back on it now, I've gotten a few cups of coffee, a beer or two, pizza, a decent lunch and fabulous flowers, and knowledge of the necessity to ride a bike around the city and carry the helmet under your arm (even on a date in a bar). So with that list, how could you go wrong really??

When it comes down to it, I'll have to admit that it's kinda fun. You get to screen every single person you decide to even say "hey" to (with a smiley, of course). How is that all that different from meeting someone in public anyway? If you were to meet someone at, let's say, a bar, typically, the reason they talk to you or you talk to them is you think that they are attractive or something they say or do is intriguing. The same goes for online. You or the other decide to talk to the other person because they are either physically attractive or something they say or write is intriguing. So what's the big difference besides not having to worry about thinking up some good reason for ending a face-to-face conversation?

So, tell me (all you St. Louis folk, especially) what the opinion is and if this online thing would work in St. Louis (life is different there ya know). Is it really the wave of the future?? ;)